At the time he was saving his money, he regarded himself as the
heir and future possessor of the estate, and had no expectation of
ever needing it. It had been in his mind that it would give him an
opportunity of helping, out of his private funds, any deserving
poor person who might apply to him. When the unexpected revelation
had been made to him that he had no claim to the estate, he was
glad that he was not quite penniless.